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“And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes…” (Numbers 11:1, ESV)

Pastor Abel’s sermon on Numbers 11 is titled, “Bad Attitude”.

In the message this week, Pastor Abel examined Numbers chapter eleven, showing us four important truths about complaining. Complaining is second nature to us today. We live in a culture where complaining is ubiquitous. Anywhere you look from the internet to your own home, you can find someone (look in the mirror) complaining. So, it is important to see complaining from God’s perspective, so that we live with proper attitudes of thankfulness.

Here is a quick review of the four truths about complaining from the message this week:

  1. Complaining distorts our perspective. In verses 4-6 of this chapter, the people complained that all they had to eat was manna, the miraculous life-giving bread given to them by God in the wilderness. They had grown bored of it and had started to daydream about the good old days of slavery in Egypt. They had forgotten their sufferings under Pharoah, and the way God had rescued them. When we complain, we lie to ourselves that what God has for us now is not good.
  2. Complaining is a rejection of God. In verse 20 of the chapter, God directly says that Israel had rejected him in their complaining. In their hearts they turned away from him and longed to return to Egypt, back to their old life of slavery. When we complain like Israel, we turn away from God in that moment.
  3. Complaining brings destruction. In verses 31-34 we see how God dealt with the complaints of the people. He gave them what they wanted. The people grumbled, saying they wanted meat to eat. God gave them exactly that, and it brought with it the plague that killed many. When we complain in our hearts, God will often discipline us by giving us the very sinful things we crave, allowing us to see that what we desire is not better than what he has in store for us.
  4. Complaining is contagious. The chapter details how a complaining spirit can spread until an entire nation is swept up in it. When you live life with this kind of attitude, you are also passing it on to others.

The apostle Paul instructed the Philippians, and by application us, to: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-18, ESV). When it comes to our attitudes, there is more at stake than our mood. Our very witness for Christ is diminished when we give in to a complaining spirit. So, let us be encouraged to walk in thankfulness to God each day.